Broadband source with transition metal ions

Abstract

A broadband source, including associated devices that may incorporate the broadband source, which makes use of at least one, preferably two or more broad fluorescence spectra in combination from one or more species of transition metal ions doped in one or more material bodies. The bodies are selected from crystalline, glass-ceramic, glass, or polymer-organic materials. The broadband source or devices can generate a very broad fluorescence spectrum. The combined spectrum preferably spans a wavelength range of about 500 nm to 600 nm to 700 nm, and having an intensity that does not deviate from an average intensity by more than about 10 dB, over a range or portion of the near infrared region.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A broadband source comprising at least one body containing one or more species of transition-metal or rare-earth metal ions, wherein the source produces a broad output spectrum of about at least 150-250 nm bandwidth in a near infrared region, when optically energized.  
     
     
         2 . A broadband source comprising at least one body containing one or more species of transition-metal ions, wherein the source produces a broad combined-output spectrum with an intensity that does not deviate from an average intensity by more than ±10 dB, in a near infared region, when optically energized.  
     
     
         3 . The source according to  claim 1 , wherein when the body contains more than one species of transition-metal ions, the source produces a broad combined-output spectrum in the near infrared region when optically activated.  
     
     
         4 . The source according to  claim 1 , comprising a material selected from the group consisting of crystalline, glass-ceramic, glass, and organic-polymer matrices.  
     
     
         5 . The source according to  claim 1 , comprising a glass-ceramic material.  
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein said material is a transparent forsterite body.  
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein said material is a transparent gallate spinel body.  
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein said material is a transparent willemite body.  
     
     
         9 . The source according to  claim 1 , wherein said source is incorporated into an optical component device.  
     
     
         10 . The source according to  claim 9 , wherein said device is an optical waveguide.  
     
     
         11 . The source according to  claim 9 , wherein said device is an optical fiber.  
     
     
         12 . The source according to  claim 9 , wherein said device is an amplifier.  
     
     
         13 . The source according to  claim 9 , wherein said device is an optical energizer.  
     
     
         14 . The source according to  claim 9 , wherein said device is used for OCT or OCDR.  
     
     
         15 . The source according to  claim 1 , wherein said transition-metal ions are selected from a group consisting of: Co +3 , Cr +3 , Cr +4 , Cu +2 , Cu + , Ni +2 , Ti +3 , and V +2 .  
     
     
         16 . The source according to  claim 1 , wherein said source produces a combined-output spectrum of a relatively level intensity, between about 800 nm to about 1800 nm.  
     
     
         17 . The source according to  claim 16 , wherein said source produces a combined-output spectrum of a relatively level intensity, between about 1050 nm to about 1580 nm.  
     
     
         18 . The source according to  claim 2 , wherein the source further comprises rare-earth ions in said body.  
     
     
         19 . The source according to  claim 18 , wherein said rare earth ions include Er, Tm, Pr, or Nd.  
     
     
         20 . A broadband source device comprising at least one body containing one or more species of transition-metal ions, wherein the device produces a broad output spectrum in a near infrared region when optically energized.  
     
     
         21 . The device according to  claim 20 , wherein when said body contains more than one species of transition-metal ions, said device produces a combined-output spectrum with an intensity that does not deviate from an average intensity by more than ±10 dB.  
     
     
         22 . The device according to  claim 20 , wherein said device has a body made from a material selected from the group consisting of crystalline, glass-ceramic, glass, and organic-polymer matrices.  
     
     
         23 . The device according to  claim 20 , wherein said device has a body made from a glass-ceramic material.  
     
     
         24 . The device according to  claim 20 , wherein said device is an optical component device.  
     
     
         25 . The device according to  claim 23 , wherein said device is an optical waveguide.  
     
     
         26 . The device according to  claim 23 , wherein said device is an optical fiber.  
     
     
         27 . The device according to  claim 23 , wherein said device is an amplifier.  
     
     
         28 . The device according to  claim 23 , wherein said device is an optical energizer.  
     
     
         29 . The device according to  claim 23 , wherein said device is used for OCT or OCDR.  
     
     
         30 . The device according to  claim 20 , wherein said transition-metal ions are selected from a group consisting of: Co +3 , Cr +3 , Cr +4 , Cu +2 , Ni +2 , Ti +3 , and V +2 .  
     
     
         31 . The device according to  claim 20 , wherein said device produces a combined-output spectrum of a relatively level intensity between about 800 nm to about 1800 nm.  
     
     
         32 . The device according to  claim 31 , wherein said device produces of a combined-output spectrum of a relatively level intensity between about 1050 nm to about 1580 nm.  
     
     
         33 . The device according to  claim 20 , wherein the device further comprises rare-earth ions in said body.  
     
     
         34 . The device according to  claim 33 , wherein said rare earth ions include Er, Tm, Pr, or Nd.  
     
     
         35 . A device having a broad, simultaneous wavelength range, the device comprising a material doped with transitional-metal ions that exhibit relatively broad fluorescence of about at least 150-250 nm wide, wherein the device emits a combined spectrum having an intensity that does not deviate from an average intensity by more or less than about 10 dB, over a range from about 800 nm to about 1800 nm.  
     
     
         36 . The device according to  claim 35 , wherein said intensity does not deviate from said average intensity by more than about 5 dB.  
     
     
         37 . A method for making a broadband source device comprising: providing at least one material containing transition-metal ions, forming said material into an optical component, energizing said transition metals in said material, and emitting a broad, combined fluorescence having an intensity that does not deviate from an average intensity by more or less than about 10 dB, in a spectral region greater than or equal to about 700 nm.  
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claim 37 , further comprising two different material substrates as a body or bodies doped with the same kind of transition metal ions.  
     
     
         39 . The method according to  claim 37 , further comprising providing two or more bodies containing more than one species of transition metal ions.  
     
     
         40 . A method of producing an optical emission, the method comprises providing at least one material body having at least one or more species of transition metal ions, energizing the body to produce a relatively broad combined-output spectrum of a relatively level intensity, in a near infrared region.  
     
     
         41 . The method according to  claim 40 , may further comprise producing an emission that has an intensity that does not deviate from an average intensity by more than about 10 dB or less, between a spectrum range from about 900-1560 nm.  
     
     
         42 . The method according to  claim 40 , may further comprise providing a body made from a material selected from the group consisting of crystalline, glass-ceramic, glass, and organic-polymer matrices.  
     
     
         43 . The method according to  claim 40 , wherein the material body may be doped with transition metal ions selected from a group consisting of: Co +3 , Cr +3 , Cr +4 , Ni +2 , Ti +3 , and V +2 .